EXECUTIVE HOTEL LE SOLEIL NEW YORK

SUPER-EFFICIENT, CLEAN AND QUIET ROOM WITH MINI-FRIDGE AND LOCATION NEAR TONS OF TRAIN TRANSIT

The price point was amazing. 

A $250 to $300 room for $150 (plus taxes).

Very quiet room with a great bed and efficient layout.

I loved the walk-in shower with endless hot water.

The room is not big, but I don't come to New York to sit in the room.

The storage space, mainly a vertical tower with all kinds of drawers and open cubes, was the best I've seen in a compact room.

It had a great desk (also my breakfast bar) and closet. Lots of outlets and two charging stations on the clock radio.

DIA DAY LOS MUERTOS

THE DAY OF THE DEAD IN OXACA, MEXICO

Oaxaca is a cultural capital.

The region is amazing and diverse.

The city of Oaxaca easily is one of the top 10 culinary destinations on the planet.

The grand churches and buildings are an architecture buff’s dream.

The surrounding small towns are historic and enchanting.

Nothing compares to the observation of Dia de los Muertos.

It runs Nov. 1 to Nov. 2 but for weeks leading up to the family-centric observations, folks are decorating altars, preparing special foods and sharing their colorful city.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“Milan or New York, for example are already widening sidewalks, pedestrianizing streets and increasing bike lanes,” Cristina Garrido said, noting that Barcelona has converted parking lots into civic space.

“The pandemic has accelerated a change that had to be done if we wanted our cities to be sustainable in a mid/long term.

From now on, cities will be more people-centered, and they will have more public spaces allocated for people.”

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD 

Cristina Garrido -- Director of Innovation for CitiesToBe, an urban platform powered by Barcelona-based Smart Cities Consultant anteverti –

 said cites around the world are embracing the 15-minute concept, especially as a reaction to the pandemic.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“The current gold standard for this with small-scale development is Portland, Oregon, which passed its residential infill program (RIP) last fall,” said Strong Towns Senior Editor Daniel Herriges.

An analysis conducted by the city in consultation with several small-scale and affordable housing developers, including Neil Heller and Habitat for Humanity,

found that significant affordability benefits would be achieved by the policy the city ended up passing, which provides a sliding scale of allowed FAR for buildings between four and six units -- if they provide rent-reduced affordable units.”

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

Strong Towns is a nonprofit focused on strengthening the urban core while eliminating budget-busting sprawl development.

 “A trend I expect will grow among cities changing their zoning to allow more missing middle and walkable urban infill development -- the kind conducive to a 15-minute neighborhood –

is that of building density or floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses into the zoning code specifically for affordable units,” Senior Editor Daniel Herriges said.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

Strong Towns Senior Editor Daniel Herriges emphasizes that the 15-minute neighborhood saves cities the high cost of maintaining sprawl.

“It's important to remember that the cost premium for compact, mixed-use neighborhoods is largely a function of artificial scarcity, he said.

“Fifteen-minute neighborhoods, and the kinds of housing that work well in them, are not expensive to create or maintain.

They often have high real-estate values only because they are very popular and we haven't built enough of them in the last few decades.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

We also regularly partner with community organizations on local hiring and public art installations,” David Lombino said.

“We take accessibility very seriously at Two Trees -- all of our buildings are ADA compliant and the vision behind the construction of Domino Park was to create an inclusive, accessible open space for all.”

Carnegie Author Series featuring Wil Haygood

Watch live now -- my friend and mentor Wil Haygood discussing his new book -- Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World.

Carnegie Author Series featuring Wil Haygood https://youtu.be/39PGPbnS8qc via @YouTube

#wilhaygood #Colorization #BlackFilms

THOUGHTS ON TURNING 57

SIX DECADES ON EARTH AND STILL STANDING

I  turned 57 on Oct. 22nd. In my 40 years as a writer, I have interviewed the famous, the infamous, the mega wealthy and those headed to prison.

My life as a journalist, marketer, storyteller and advocate has taken me to places I never thought a kid from a working-class family – the first to go to college – would ever go.

Certainly, my greatest accomplishment has been being a companion to my Heidi for 35 years.

When it comes to professional achievements, I have a Pulitzer nomination and several diverse awards on my walls. I have reinvented myself from a sportswriter to urban affairs journalist, then to a public policy chief, business development director, marketing manager, communications leader, storyteller and advocate.

One of my favorite story sources, who became a friend and mentor in Ohio, had an “I love me” room filled with honors, accolades and scrapbooks from his rewarding life. Perhaps like me, he sometimes doubted his ability or shrugged off praise while taking the slightest shortcoming to heart. Maybe that’s why Saul crafted his I love me room in his cozy abode in greater Columbus.

I recently submitted an extended bio for a speaking engagement. After publishing about 7,000 bylined stories during the past 40 years, it felt odd to write about myself in the third person. Despite the awkwardness, I did feel fairly good about myself (always a challenge in these go-go-go, dog eat dog times), so I will share some of it:

His 40-year career, the past 21 in greater Miami, has been marked by dozens of national stories on the planning profession in diverse publications plus more than a decade of daily Blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn posts on urban design.

When Wright came to Florida, he already had been a Pulitzer-nominated, award-winning journalist who covered the urban affairs, smart growth and planning beat at the Columbus Dispatch newspaper. His work earned special recognition from the City of Columbus Planning Department for expert, in-depth coverage of planning in the growing city.

While working as the first full-time urban affairs reporter at the Dispatch, Wright covered not only planning, zoning and development issues, but also focused on land use’s impact on equity, inclusion, diversity and accessibility. His marquee story was a first of its kind special section chronicling a year spent with a photographer in the city’s oldest, poorest, most-neglected neighborhood – Franklinton, which was under gentrification pressure due to an Army Corps flood wall that would usher in development.

In Miami, he has worked with leading urban designers, town planners, architects, engineers, landscape architects, sustainability experts and similar leading firms that create a better built environment. He was put his expertise in Universal Design, Inclusive Mobility and access for People with Disabilities into every winning project.

 

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

 

David Lombino said Two Trees’ philosophy of diverse community building includes supporting local businesses, artists and community groups.

“We make a concerted effort to curate small businesses that suit neighborhood needs and make an intentional decision to not rent to chains that can pay top dollar.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“Two Trees has generated approximately 400 high-quality affordable housing units in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

We have an additional 500 affordable units in the pipeline at our Domino Sugar Factory redevelopment site, and another 260 proposed units at River Ring, a new project,” David Lombino, Principal at Two Trees, said –

noting that low-income units are identical to market-rate apartments, have access to all amenities and do not have separate entrances (a controversial feature in other developers’ projects.)

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“More recently, Domino Park has served as a critical place for New Yorkers throughout the pandemic with painted circles that encourage social distancing on the lawn, which received international recognition and became a replicable model for parks around the world,” David Lombino, Principal at Two Trees, added.

Two Trees -- which has developed a portfolio worth more than $4 billion, including more than 2,000 apartments – agrees that the 15-minute neighborhood must include affordable housing. 

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

Founded in 1968, Two Trees is best-known for transforming an aging waterfront warehouse district into the DUMBO arts and tech hub in Brooklyn.

“Domino Park along the Brooklyn waterfront in Williamsburg, which Two Trees financed, constructed and operates, embodies this type of approach. 

In designing the six-acre waterfront park, we held dozens of community-based meetings and feedback sessions so we could understand what the local community wanted in a new public space,” Lombino said.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

To create a truly authentic place, you have to involve the community to gather input on what they need and want for the health and longevity of their neighborhood,” said David Lombino, Principal at Two Trees.

“We’ve worked to keep the human experience at the forefront of our work, always thinking about the social power of the built environment.”

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD 

From a developer’s standpoint, the 15-minute city makes sense to Two Trees, a Brooklyn-based, family-owned real estate development firm.

“The secret of placemaking is understanding what the local community values and how we can help infuse those values into the neighborhood and be real partners to our neighbors,” said David Lombino, Principal at Two Trees.

Starting with the Green Parts First: A Conversation w/ Victor Dover

Thanks #Planner #UrbanDesigner & #Futurist Victor Dover

for shout out on my #UniversalDesign work during the latest Active Towns program hosted by John Simmerman.

My dear friend Victor's part on urban my design work to include people with disabilities starts at 10:30 into the clip.

Happy Birthday, Victor.

Hope I can contribute a show on inclusive design on Active Towns soon

#peoplewithdisabilites #diversity #equity #inclusion #streetdesign

Starting with the Green Parts First: A Conversation w/ Victor Dover https://youtu.be/Z7SWSPaWEko via @YouTube

THE FUTURE OF PLANNING EDUCATION IS BRIGHT

INCOMING ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS OF PLANNING

PRESIDENT COMMITS TO ADDRESSING DISABILITY 

In her incoming ACSP President’s address, Laxmi Ramasubramanian, PhD, AICP, advocated for transformative change.

“I also want to support our members’ efforts to address issues related to physical disabilities and make our living and working environments truly accessible,” said Ramasubramanian, Professor and Department Chair Department of Urban & Regional Planning at San José State University.

Ramasubramanian created a program on Universal Design as part of higher education for planners during the ACSP’s national conference this month.

I will present on this and related issues with Heidi Johnson-Wright, Gala Korniyenko and Mahtot Gebresselassie during an online chat Oct. 23.

Kudos to the ACSP and its incoming president for agreeing that accessibility belongs with the commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Laxmi Ramasubramanian

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

REALTORS in Louisiana are working with key stakeholders to support complete streets and access for all.

Morris said revitalization replaces blight and allows stores to stay open later – improving business revenue – because people feel safe on the street.

The statewide association also received NAR grant support to create a tool kit for building better, especially in coastal areas to adapt to climate change.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“People want to walk to stores, shops and services,” Norman Morris, CEO of Louisiana REALTORS, said of the value of the 20-minute neighborhood.

“We target an area that needs some revitalization and improve a 4- to 6-block area. 

We clean up, paint, fix up storefronts – we create an atmosphere, an environment where (walking) can be done.

It creates synergy, it enhances value of the corridor and the nearby residential.”

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

Norman Morris, CEO of Louisiana REALTORS, is proud of the long partnership with CPEX and REALTOR associations in every region of the state:

 to promote building smarter, more walkable and accessible neighborhoods with a mix of business and residential.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“NAR provided a support grant to CPEX and all eight Louisiana executive districts for REALTORS.

There were tours and REALTORS doing workshops to unveil this model ordinances book to mayors and planning commissions,” Camille Manning-Broome said.

“The ordinances put in place decades ago prevent getting around a city in 20 minutes, so the intent is to undo regulations that created suburban sprawl.”

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

CPEX encourages development with more density and mixed use. It helps communities with land use analysis, changing land use patterns and rewriting zoning codes.

It helped create the Louisiana land use tool kit, with model ordinances.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

Jeannette Dubinin said intersections are not designed for safe walking to run errands or to get exercise.  

She said the 20-minute city must calm traffic and make it easier for people to get around by bike, on foot and via wheelchair.

She said it is counterintuitive to drive to a nearby park, but with dangerous design and unsafe crosswalks, many people do.

ADA COMPLIANCE IS IMPORTANT

 BUT UNIVERSAL DESIGN TRANSCENDS THE ADA

Inclusionary zoning, progressive housing policy, and equitable planning strategies have failed people with disabilities.

One college course on Universal Design would equip young planners with the knowledge/skills required to change this half century of failure.

The video on this link shares to Universal Design concept in clear, concise “mom and pop” language.

Thanks to Andrés Corrales, CNU-A, a friend and colleague in Miami who works as a New Urbanist Urban Development Consultant, for sending the video to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mh-GTlvf0w&list=RDCMUCGc8ZVCsrR3dAuhvUbkbToQ&index=1

Andres Corrales

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mh-GTlvf0w&list=RDCMUCGc8ZVCsrR3dAuhvUbkbToQ&index=1

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“People found sidewalks that end in the middle of something -- or sidewalks with curbs too high, or no ADA curb ramps, or trees and barriers in the way.

 You can have all the sidewalks you want, if they are not usable, they don’t work,” Jeannette Dubinin said.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

 

Camille Manning-Broome and Jeannette Dubinin both noted that COVD-19’s silver lining was the move toward healthy activity.

“Bike sales were going up like crazy. Restaurants were taking over parking spaces and bringing tables outside,” Manning-Broome said. 

The 20-minute city creates lots of opportunities to redesign for healthier living.”

The 20-minute city bingo cards encouraged people to take pictures of obstacles and to advocate for local improvements.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“We are always trying to have education and awareness around the good, bad and ugly around the built environment,” Jeannette Dubinin said.

“(Bingo cards) give families a chance to go out and evaluate on their own what kind of assets can they get to and not get to in 20 minutes.

The pandemic highlighted the ability to do anything within 20 minutes.

We landed on 20 minutes because we are a suburban community, like most of America.”

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“We have teamed with REALTOR groups throughout the state to do better block demonstrations – transforming spaces to be more bike-friendly, more pedestrian-accessible,” said Camille Manning-Broome, President & CEO of CPEX.

“In Mid-City Baton Rouge, this led to a $13 million dollar road diet.”

Jeannette Dubinin, Director of Resilience and Adaptation for CPEX, created the 20-minute bingo card, to help everyday people identify shopping, health services, schools and daily conveniences within a safe, 20-minute walk.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

CPEX has partnered with the National Association of REALTORS for about 15 years – when Katrina rebuilding launched.

During the NAR annual convention in New Orleans, some demonstration block improvements were done to spruce up neighborhoods and set an example of the value of walkability.

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

In Louisiana -- where few parishes had master plans before Katrina, few cities developed in a compact pattern and there is virtually no fixed transit -- the goal is the 20-minute neighborhood.

The Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), Louisiana's only non-profit planning organization, is leading the statewide effort to promote a higher quality of life through smarter decisions in the built environment.

PROUD TO BE LEADING A WORKSHOP ON DISABILITY RIGHTS AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS OF PLANNING

I will be presenting on Universal Design in Planning Education, discussing with design for all is the most inclusive, durable, sustainable and equitable approach to city and regional planning.

My wife, Heidi Johnson-Wright, will touch on the history of the Disability Rights Movement and how designing for people with disabilities extends far beyond compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Gala Korniyenko, Graduate Administrative Associate at The Ohio State University, will speak about Accreditation and Disability – disability reporting and inclusion in curriculum.

Mahtot Gebresselassie, PhD, Incoming Postdoctoral Research Associate Carnegie Mellon University, will present on Disability and Future of Mobility and how it applies to planning education and research.

The event will take place virtually:

https://www.acsp.org/page/2021Conf_Glance

THE 15-MINUTE CITY

OLD-FASHIONED COMPACT, CONVENIENT, MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT FOR A MODERN, POST PANDEMIC, WALKABLE WORLD

“The arc is where most black, brown and low-income communities live.

It has the lowest life expectancy, lots of industrial uses and (least amount of) tree canopy,” Taiwo Jaiyeoba said, noting the 2040 plan has built-in metrics to measure the achievement of equitable growth.

“One of the plan goals is achieving housing diversity through Charlotte, which means rezoning the city to allow different forms of housing everywhere including in the wedge.

This means duplexes, triplexes and townhouses.

While that would help achieve affordable housing goals, it also helps to undo the legacy of segregation.”

Disability Activist Ed Roberts on "60 Minutes" with Harry Reasoner

Meet Ed Roberts. He created the independent living movement. He proved that people with disabilities can be high achievers. He lived a full and rewarding life.

Disability Activist Ed Roberts on "60 Minutes" with Harry Reasoner https://youtu.be/ZxidR5SZXxA via @YouTube

#edroberts #ada